For years, the Senate -- but not the Assembly -- has passed legislation to sanction the sport in New York. Still, Trzewieczynski said he's confident that the bill will pass eventually because of the sport's popularity.

"It's just lobbyists influencing the government to keep it out of New York," he said. "The outcry from the fans, you see how popular the sport is-they can't hold it back for much longer."

Under the ban it's illegal to hold the fights at sports arenas, which would make the events more profitable and bring in more tax revenue for the state.

Mixed martial arts events in the area have been hosted by Native American casinos, because state law doesn't apply there.